Hybrid use on the professional golf tour seems to be decreasing. Should recreational golfers reconsider using them, or are hybrids still worth having?

Answer:

Seeing trends from the professional tours can be inspiring, but recreational golfers should be cautious about making changes based solely on what they observe among elite players. The equipment choices of tour players are influenced by many factors that may not apply to the everyday golfer. If you’re not on the Korn Ferry or PGA Tour, the right choice for your bag is more about your personal game than what’s in the bags of pros.

To break down the hybrid trend, it’s true that hybrid usage has decreased over the past decade and a half. Back in the mid-2000s, hybrids were revolutionary, replacing the long irons that many golfers found difficult to hit. In those years, PGA Tour events often featured over 100 hybrids in play, whereas today, only about three of the top 20 players carry a hybrid. This shift reflects how players are now using alternative clubs like utility irons and high-lofted fairway woods instead of hybrids.

Why Tour Players Are Moving Away from Hybrids

There are three primary reasons tour players have drifted from hybrids:

Draw Bias: Hybrids can have a natural draw bias that doesn’t suit elite players. For recreational golfers, this draw tendency can actually be helpful, promoting a more controlled right-to-left ball flight.

Fewer Long Approaches: The PGA Tour reports that long approaches (200+ yards) have decreased by 11% in recent years, reducing the need for hybrids on approach shots.

Alternative Clubs: Tour players are gravitating toward high-lofted fairway woods (such as 5-, 7-, and 9-woods) and utility irons, which are specialized for versatility and higher ball flight with a more controlled shot-shaping ability.

High-lofted fairway woods provide players with a compact yet forgiving head shape that’s easy to launch from various lies. Utility irons, with their wider soles and hollow construction, offer a strong alternative for players seeking higher ball speed and easier launch.

What Average Golfers Should Consider

According to Chris Marchini, Golf Galaxy’s director of golf experience, many golfers incorrectly assume hybrids are easier to hit than fairway woods. In fact, fairway woods often have a lower center of gravity, making it easier for average players to achieve higher ball flight and greater forgiveness.

Yet, hybrids still have a place in the bags of most golfers. Starting with the 5-iron or longer, golfers should consider clubs that offer greater forgiveness—this could mean hybrids, fairway woods, or even utility irons. National fitting chain Club Champion’s studies have shown that high handicappers can benefit significantly from hybrids. For example, a 6-hybrid outperformed a 6-iron by an average of 18 yards in carry distance, a meaningful difference for many golfers.

Hybrids vs. Fairway Woods and Utility Irons: Key Differences

Michael Vrska, Callaway’s director of custom fitting, notes that while fairway woods generally provide higher launch and more spin, hybrids can be advantageous for players who tend to miss toward the heel or toe. Hybrids are often easier to hit than fairway woods, as their shorter shafts make them feel more iron-like, and their center of gravity close to the face allows more versatility from challenging lies.

Utility irons, while favored by some players for their penetrating ball flight, are best suited to golfers who rarely miss the center of the face. For the average golfer, fairway woods and hybrids offer the wider sole and lower center of gravity that promotes easier launch and better results on off-center hits.

Finding the Right Mix

For many recreational players, a smart approach might involve using fairway woods to replace the longest irons in their bags, potentially with slightly shorter shafts for increased control. By reducing the number of long irons and adding fairway woods and hybrids, players can build a more forgiving setup that suits their individual swing characteristics and game.

While fairway woods and hybrids may cost more than irons, their benefits are often well worth the investment. However, always consider consulting with a professional fitter before making changes to your bag. A good fitting will take into account your unique swing, tendencies, and playing conditions to ensure that any new clubs will truly improve your game.